4 FAQs on Prepping Your InDesign Document for Printing

Preparing your InDesign project for print can be a daunting task, especially if you’re new to the program.

Print errors can be costly and confusing -- but have no fear! Here are answers to four frequently asked questions to save on time and stress.

How Do I Find and Change a Missing Font?

By default, any type that is using a missing font will be highlighted in pink.

If you open a document and realize a font is missing (e.g., inactivated or not yet installed), select the highlighted section and go to Type>Find Font. InDesign will display a small warning triangle next to the problem font.

To replace the missing font, go to the “Replace With” section. Select a new “Font Family” and “Font Style” from the respective menus, then click “Change All.” Creative Cloud accounts will update documents for you if you log into your Adobe Fonts account and activate the missing font.

How Do I Find and Change a Missing Link?

If any of the image files linked to your document are moved to a new location, the link between the document and image is broken.

InDesign will notify you by displaying a red “?” icon on the offending images. To resolve this, open the Window>Links panel, and the broken image link will appear with the same symbol. To relink items, Right-click on the filename in the “Links” panel, choose “Relink,” and select the image from its new location.

How Do I Check Image Resolution for Printing?

To print high-quality pieces, it is best to place images at a minimum of 300PPI.

When you don’t use high-res images, InDesign will alert you. Once you’ve placed an image, you can go into the “Info” panel or the “Links” panel to see the PPI settings for the selected image.

Low-res images can still be used if you reduce the size, as effective PPI will increase. If you absolutely must use low-res images, aim for a PPI greater than 240PPI. To display larger poor-quality images, always return to the source of the original image and request a higher resolution file.

How Do I Save Time with Print Templates?

Many printers supply free templates for business cards, letterhead, and flyers so you can easily build documents to their exact specifications.

These are available through InDesign download links, which will typically arrive in IDML format. Click on the link then open the download in your version of InDesign.

Templates include layers that display the bleed, trim, and safe areas in which to create your artwork, along with instructions on how to use the template and upload files. IDML files can also be saved as an InDesign Template File (.indt) for future use.

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